Facsimile producing system



Sept-19, 1933. WEINBEiQGER 1,927,428

FACSIMILE PRODUCING SYSTEM Filed June 29; 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 uunuuu mnnuunmmuuuuunuunnnn III-III... IIIIIII lNVENTOR .JUUUS WE\NBE GER ATTORNEY Sept. 19, 1933. J. WEINBE RGER 1,927,423

FACSIMILE PRODUCING SYSTEM Filed June 29, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ax/zume All/Z075? INVENTOR JULIUS \(EINBERGER h A/VUZH L/ ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 19, 1933 PATENT OFFICE FACSHHILE PRODUCING SYSTEM Julius Weinberger, New York, N. Y., aasignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application June 29, 1929. Serial No. 874,918

11 Claims.

My present invention relates to facsimile-producing systems, and, more particularly, to a method of, and means for, simplifying present copying processes.

Frequently, numerous copies are desired of a drawing, letter, photograph, and the like. The only device known today for reproducing such material is the photostat. This device is expensive to operate, requires skilled attendance, and a very considerable plant installation because of the necessity of employing photographic technique.

On the other hand, the mimeograph process, thatis to say, the reproduction of original typewritten matter by means of a stencil of some nature, is readily adapted to the production of a great number of copies. However, this process is limited in its scope. Neither graphical representations nor facsimile copies can be reproduced by the mimeograph method.

'Now, I have discovered 8. copying process which combines the facsimile advantages of the photostat, the quantity productivity of the mimeograph, and at the same time retains the highly desirable features of economy of operation, nonnecessity of skilled attendance and simplicity of manipulation. My, present copying process has a vast field of application in ofiices and factories where numerous copies of any printed or typewritten matter, photographs, drawings and the like are desired in a very short-time.

Fundamentally, my process employs a scanning system similar to that used in picture transmission for operating a reproducing mechanism in such a manner. that instead of producing a copy of the original being scanned, there is produced a new original so arranged that numerous copies may be printed therefrom.

Accordingly, it is one of the main objects of my present invention to provide a facsimile-producing system in which the transmitting and receiving mechanisms are combined in a single device,

and which device produces, at the receiving.

mechanism, a new original, instead of the usual facsimile copy, said new original being adapted for the production of as many facsimile copies of the transmitted original, as is required.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a copyingdevice comprising a picture transmitting and receiving mechanism combined -in a single device, the copying device being suitable for office or factory use in making stencils from any type of original which it is desired to reproduce in considerable quantities, the transmitter comprising a picture scanning member,

the receiver including a stencil forming mechamsm.

Another important object of the invention is to provide 9. copying process which is simpler in operation than the conventional photostat method, and which possesses the-advantages of the mimeograph process in that it provides a large number of copies very inexpensively, the copying process comprising a picture scanning mechanism embodying a light-sensitive member, and a receiving or reproducing mechanism embodying a stencil producing member,'the latter being actuated by said light-sensitive member in such a manner that a mimeograph stencil is produced, the stencil being adapted for the production of a large number of copies of the transmitted original. I

Other objects of the invention are to improve generally the simplicity and efficiency of facsimile producing devices, and to provide a copying ap- 76 paratus which is economical, durable and reliable in operation, and economical to manufacture.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forthin particularity in the appended claims, the invention 80 itself, however, as to both organization and math- 0d of operation will best be understoodby reference to the following description taken in connection with the drawings in which I have indicated diagrammatically several circuit organizations whereby my invention may be carried into effect.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of the copying machine, the electric circuit connections being omitted,

Fig. 2 is a side sectional view taken along lines 2, 2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the arrangement of the electrical circuits of the copying machine, the scanning mechanism and stenciling mechanism being shown in enlarged detail,

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a modified form of electrical circuit for the copying machine.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like characters of reference indicate the same parts in the different views, Fig. 1 shows the transmitter and receiver mechanisms mounted on a single base 1, it being understood that while it is preferable to have the copying machine mounted as a unitary mechanism, it is quite possible to separate the transmitter and receiver mechanism of the copying machine, acarriage 2' mounted upon rollers for movement over the tracks 4, is adapted to carry a sheet 5, shown in dotted lines, containing the matter to be copied.

The top of the carriage 2 has a flat surface and depending sides, the rollers being affixed to the longer-of the depending sides. To actuate the carriage, the latter is normally spring tensioned in the direction of a stud 6 by a spring 7, aiiixed at one end to the stud and at its-other end to the rear, long, depending side of the carriage, it being understood that the stud 6 is secured to the base 1 in any well known fashion.

The carriage is periodically displaced from its normal spring-tensloned position, by means of a rotating cam 8, the latter being in sliding contact with a circular roller 9. The roller is movably mounted upon a pin 10, the latter being affixed to an arm 11 fastened to the rear, longer, depending side of the carriage in any well known manner. V

The cam 8 is fixedly mounted to a shaft 12, the shaft being actuated by a motor (not shown) the latter being aiiixed to the transmitter end of the shaft. Thus, the cam 8 is mounted on the shaft 12 for rotation therewith. The cam is shown, in this particular instance, shaped as a cardioid, but it is to be understood that the cam can be given any desired shape, depending upon the period of reciprocation desired to be imparted to the carriage 2.

.The shaft 12 is connected to a second shaft 13, the latter being parallel to the former, by any suitable and convenient means, for example, pulleys and belting 14. It is, of course, understood that appropriate gearing may be employed in place of the pulley and belting arrangement, the member 14 being represented in such a manner that the latter is to be interpreted as gearing,

belting or any desired type of mechanical coupling.

A portion 15 of the shaft 13 is threaded in such a mannerthat a scanning mechanism is enabled to travel along the length of said threaded portion. The scanning mechanism comprises an elongated arm 16 provided at one end with sleeves 17 and 18. The sleeve 18 is interiorly threaded, and cooperates with the threaded section 15 for movement of the arm 16. The sleeve 17, integral with the arm 16 and sleeve 18, is mounted for reciprocation on a rod 19 fixedly positioned be tween bearings 20, the latter being integral with the bearings 21 of the shaft 13;

The opposite end of the arm 16 carries the transmitter scanning'mechanism. This mechanism comprises, as is shown in magnified detail in Fig. 3, two compartments angularly disposed relative to each other one of the compartments 30, hereinafter designated as the light source, has one end thereof 31 formed in the shape of a parabolic surface, the interior surface of said end being a reflector.

A source of light 32 is disposed within said compartment in such a manner that light therefrom is reflected from the parabolic reflecting surface, by means of lenses 33, 34, and concentrated in a point upon the surface of the sheet 5. The opposite end of the compartment 30 is tapered to produce a point sourceof illumination.

The compartment 35 disposed at an angle to the light compartment 30 is hereinafter designated as the light-sensitive compartment, and

so that they may be kept separate rooms or on separate floors. Considering first the transmitter contains a photo-electric cell 36 of conventional construction well known to thoseskilled in the art. The light concentrated upon a particular point on the sheet 5 is reflected from said point, passes through the opening 37 of the tapered end of compartment 35, and passes through a light magnifying lens 38 before affecting the photoelectric cell 36. i

The receiver mechanism of the copying machine, mechanically, is a duplicate of the transmitter mechanism heretofore described, with the exception of the stencil-producing member to be later described. Accordingly, the mechanical members in the receiver mechanism which correspond to the transmitter'members are designated by the same numerals primed. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the receiver mechanism embodies tracks 4' affixed to the base 1, the flattopped carriage 2' being mounted upon rollers 3', and the carriage being reciprocated over the tracks 4' by means of the cam A, the latter being fixedly mounted on the shaft 12 for rotation therewith.

Here, again, a spring 7', affixed at one end to a stud 6' and at its other end to the rear, longer depending side of the carriage 2', normally urges the carriage towards the stud 6'. The shape of cam 8' must be exactly the same as the shape of cam 8, and the latter is therefore given a cardioid shape. The manner in which the carriage is mounted for rolling motion over the track 4" is clearly shown in Fig. 2, and it is to be further noted that the shaft 12 is supported by bearings 22.

A sheet 5', shown in dotted lines, rests upon the fiat top of carriage 2', and forms the mimeograph stencil sheet, or the new original to be utilized for the production of the numerous facsimiles of the transmitted original 5.

As in the case of the threaded portion 15 of shaft 13, there is provided a second threaded portion 15 for the actuation and reciprocation of the stenciling mechanism. Bearings 20', 21 constitute the remaining supporting members of the shaft 13. A rod 19 is fixedly disposed between the bearings 20, as in the case of the rod 19, it being observed that an arm 16 is mounted for reciprocation along the rod 19' and threaded section 15, by means of sleeves l7 and interiorly threaded sleeve 18, the sleeves being integral, as in the case of the scanning mechanism.

The stenciling mechanism mounted at the opposite end of arm 16 comprises an elongated cylindrical member 40 having its top end closed and being provided with an opening 41 at the opposite end, the said opening being of a very small diameter. Fig. 3 shows in magnified detail the construction of the stenciling mechanism. A solenoid 42 is mounted within the cylinder 40, there being a polarized plunger 43 mounted within said solenoid, the end of the plunger adjacent the opening 41 being provided with a plunger needle 44, the diameter of the cross sectionof which needle is very small. The stencilling mechanism, therefore, consists simply of a small plunger actuated by an electro-magnet, and bearing a sharp pointed fine needle which is caused to punch holes into the stencil sheet 5', whenever an impulse is received from the scanning device operating on the original to be copied.

The impulses -may be transmitted from the light-sensitive mechanism of the transmitter to the electro-magnetic punch by means of an arrangement shown for example, in Fig. 3. A variation inthe quantity of light reaching the lightthe plunger 51; 'is mechanically coupled by a mechanism 56 to sensitive cell 36 results in an electrical impulse in. a manner well known to those skilled in' the art, such electrical impulse being impressed upon type of mechanical coupling, such as a linkage,

for example. .The main idea is to so couple the plunger 51 and the rotor of the variable condenser 54, that the reciprocatory motion of the plunger 51 is translated into rotational motion of the'rotor.

A coil is connected to the condenser 54 in such a manner as to form a tunable circuit which includes the condenser 54 and inductance 55. The oscillator is connected in shunt with the inductance 55, and the output of the former is impressed upon an amplifier. The amplified output of the latter is then impressed upon the terminals of the solenoid 42 in such a manner, that the polarity. of the solenoid 42 changes at a frequency dependent upon the frequency of the oscillations generated by the oscillator. It will, thus, be obvious that the plunger 43 will be caused to reciprocate at a frequency dependent upon the frequency of the change of .polarity of the solenoid 42.

With the above description of the construction of the-copying machine it is believed that veryshort time, it will be obvious that the usual mimeograph apparatus could not be employed, for the reason that there is no known method, at

present, for making a mimeograph stencil 'of a drawing through the agency of a typewriter.

The only available means for producing a pluralit'y of copies of a graphic representation 1s --been enumerated. However, by means of my copying machine the mimeograph process can'be employed to produce a plurality of copies of a graphic representation, it being observed that, in place of a photo-chemical, hot wire, ink or other process for making the received graphic representation, I employ an electro-magnetic punch which punches small holes into a mimeograph stencil, this mimeograph stencil thenbeing used to provide a large number of additional copies.

It is only necessary to place the sheet to be copied upon the top of carriage 2, move the scanning arm 16 to a position corresponding to the side limit of the graphic representation, it being understood that the sleeve 18 is provided with any type of mechanism to enable the entire scanning mechanism to be moved back to the starting position, after the mechanism has travelled the entire-length ofthe threaded portion 15. This mechanism may also be provided on the sleeve 18. Such a release mechanism is not shown in the figure in order to simplify the description, it being understood that thesame is well known in typewriter and dictaphone machines.

When the motor is started the shaft 12 rotates,

, 3 and, assuming that the start position of the carriage is one in which the cam 8 displaces the carriage to the maximum distance beyond normal spring tension position, rotates the shaft 13 thereby moving the scanning arm 16 towards the opposite side of the sheet from its startposltion. It is to be understood that thecam 8 is so designed, relative to the motion of the shaft 13, that I the carriage 2 is moved from one extreme to the opposite extreme at each complete rotation of the threaded section 15 of the shaft 13.

Thus, the surface of sheet 5 is divided into a plurality of adjacent scanning strips or areas,

each of which areas includes the matter to be copied. Good results can be obtained if the movement of carriage 2 is so regulated relative to the motion of the scanning mechanism, and the opening 37 is so designed, that 200 to 400 lines to the inch are scanned. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art, that it is merely a matter of mechanical design to so proportion the cam 8, pitch of the'threaded portion 15, mechanical coupling 14, and the opening 3'! of the scanning mechanism to produce a scanning effect which will give good reproduction.

As the shaft 12 continues to rotate the arm 16 travels to its opposite extreme position, the carriage 2, in"'the meanwhile, reciprocating to and fro beneath it until the entire surface of sheet 5 has been scanned. The stencil sheet 5' is positioned on the carriage 2 at the same time the original sheet 5 is positioned on the carriage 2, and the punching mechanism 40 is positioned at the extreme side limit of the sheet 5' in a manner similar to the disposition of the scanning mechanism 30. Thus, the motion of carriages 2 and 2', and arms 16 and 16' are synchronized.

By means of the electrical circuit shown in Fig.5 described above it is possibleto secure a stencil sheet which produces good copies of the original sheet 5. It will be observed that as the sheet 5 moves relative to the light beams falling upon it, the intensity of the electrical impulses produced by the cell 36 will be governed by the particular shade of the picture at the point on which the beam happens to be shining. The variations in electrical impulses corresponding to the variations in intensity of the light reflected from the sheet 5 are amplified in a manner well known to the art.

In order to produce a great many punches in the stencil sheet at a particular area where the intensity of the light reflected from the surface of sheet 5 happens to be the same over a considerable area, there has been provided the tuned circuit 54, 55 and the oscillating circuit in shunt with the inductance 55.- Thus, the intensity of the current flowing through the solenoid 50 will govern the frequency of the oscillations produced by the oscillator.

This intensity, of course, depends directly upon the intensity of the light reflected from the surface of the sheet 5, and, therefore, it is readily seen that where a printed area is of a lighter shade the current flowing through solenoid 50 will be decreased. Consequently, the plunger 51 will be tensioned towards the fixed member 52, the rotor of the condenser 54 being moved in such a manner that the circuit 54, 55 is tuned to a frequency which is very low. Consequently, the oscillator will produce a current which alternates through the solenoid 42 at a low frequency, whereby the polarized plunger 43 is caused to reciprocate at aaiow rate. This results in fewer holes being punched over the area of 5 which corresponds to the area of 5 of the said lighter shade.

When an areaof a darker shade on sheet 5 is scanned the contrary results. The current flowing through the solenoid draws the plunger 51 into it, thereby varying the setting ofthe rotor of condenser 54 in such a manner that the oscillator delivers a current of a much higher frequency, with theresult that the plunger 43 is moved more rapidly within the solenoid 42, and, consequently, more holes are punched into the area on sheet 5' which corresponds to the area of darker shade on sheet 5. Thus, the stencil sheet 5, is so punched, that there is a good differentiation between the dark and light shades of the original sheet 5.

When the entire surface of sheet 5 has been scanned, the stencil sheet 5 is removed and placed in the conventional mimeograph machine and as many copies made as is desired. It will be found that the mimeograph stencil produced by this process delivers as good results as the photostat, when used with a scanning device giving 200 to 400 lines to the inch.

I will now describe a modified circuit arrangement for the copying machine, the arrangement being preferably the one employed, particular reference being had to Fig. 4. The photo-cell 36 is disposed in a Wheatstone bridge arrangement; and constitutes one arm thereof. Fixed resistances 61, 62 and variable resistance 63 form the other arms of the bridge. A battery 65 and alternator 64, the latter having a frequency of the order of 400 cycles, connected in series, form a -diagonalof the bridge, andare connected to the latter as shown in Fig. 4'. The alternator 64 supplies a biasing voltage to the photo-cell 36.

The primary of an audio frequency transformer 66 is connected across the cell 36 and resistor 63, the secondary of the transformer feeding the photo-cell output to the amplifier 67. The electro-magnetic punch 44 is connected to the output of the amplifier 67, as shown fully in Fig. 3, and diagrammatically in Fig. 4.

The operation of this preferred form of circuit arrangement will be obvious from the following description. The photo-cell 36, is disposed in the Wheatstone bridge, and the latter is so adjusted that when the cell is fully illuminated, no current is supplied to the amplifier input transformer 66. That is to say, the bridge is balanced for the resistance of the photo-cell when fully illuminated. When no illumination reaches the photo-cell from the original which is being scanned,

the bridge is unbalanced, and 400 cycle alternating current is fed to the transformer 66. This causes the punch 44 to operate 400 times per secend, and it, accordingly, punches 400 holes each second in the mimeograph stencil.

Thus, when a black area is being scanned, the

- mimeograph stencil is punched continually with dots at the rate of several hundreds per second; when a white area is being scanned no dots are punched. Of course, an alternating current of frequency other than 400 cycles may be used,

either a lower or a higher rate, depending upon the degree of illumination of the photo-cell, or unbalance of the bridge. Thus, for totally black areas, the bridge will be unbalanced to the maximum extent and maximum current supply, so that the punch will operate most forcefully.

For gray areas, less current will be supplied, and a less, forceful operation of the punch will be secured. By tapering the needle of the punch, the area of the holes may be madedependent upon the force with which the punch is driven against the stencil, and half-tone effects may be thereby secured, it being understood that small holes would correspond to gray areas, and large holes to black areas. I

It is to be pointed out that a similar device may be constructed using an inking mechanism,

instead of the mimeograph stencil, to deposit hectograph ink on a sheet of paper, which will form the original from which numerous copies may be reproduced if desired. This modification is well within the scope of the present disclosure, and it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, that an inking mechanism can be substituted for the electro-magnetic punch shown and described.

While I have indicated and described several systems for carrying my invention into effect, it

will be apparent to one skilled in the art that my invention is by .no means limitedto the particular organizations shown and described, but that many modifications in thefcircuit arrangements, as well as in the apparatus employed, may be made without departing from-the scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is: 4

1. The method of producing a mimeograph stencil of a graphical record which includes translating the record into electric current variations, causing the current variations to control the vibratory period of a stencilling instrumentality and perforating the record sheet by said stencilling instrumentality with perforations varying in concentration per unit area proportionately to the strength of said current variations.

2. The method of producing a mimeograph stencil of a graphical record whih includes converting the varying intensities of light and shadow of elemental areas of the record into proportionate strenth electric current variations, amplifying the electric current variations produced, conveying the amplified current variations to a point of reproduction. converting said variable amplitude pulsations into constant amplitude pulsations of a frequency proportionate to the original current amplitude and perforating a record sheet in varying density perforations per unit area in accordance with and under the control of said varying frequency current impulses. A

3. In an apparatus for producing a mimeograph stencil of a graphical record, a light responsive means for converting varying intensities of light and shadow of elemental areas of the graphical record into proportionate strength electric current impulses, means for converting said varying strength electric current impulses into constant strength electric current impulses of varying frequency, and means responsive to the varying frequency electric current impulses for perforat a record sheet with varying density perforations per unit area in accordance with and under the control of said variable frequency current variations.

4. In systems for photoelectrically producing impressions on record surfaces of which duplicates are to be reproduced, the combination which comprises a, memberv for supporting a record surface of which a duplicate is to be made, a light sensitive scanning means adjacent said supporting member, means for producing a relative movement between said light sensitive element and said record supporting surface, an amplifying system suitably connected to the output of said light sensitive scanning means, a perforating device adapted to perforate a suitable surface with perforations .having a concentration varying proportionately to the varying densities of light to be represented to form a facsimile of the record from which duplicates maybe reproduced, a second supporting element adapted to support the surface upon which the duplicate is to be produced, means for moving the perforating device synchronously with the light sensitive device and with the same relative movement to the second named supporting member, means for coupling each of the two supporting members to the other,'and means for producing the synchronous movement of the two said members.

5'. In devices for photoelectrically producing impressions upon surfaces for printing, a supporting element adapted to hold a record surface of which a duplicate is to be made at one ,end and a surface upon which the duplicate is to be made at the other end, a light sensitive scanner adJacent the end of the supporting member adapted to hold the original record surface, and a suitable device responsive to the amplified output of the lightsensitive scanner adjacent the other end of the supporting surface for producing impressions thereon in concentration proportionate to the varying light values on the original record surface, means for moving the lightsensitive'scanner and the device forproducing the impressions synchronously relative to the supporting members. and means for amplifying the output of the light sensitive scanner to cause the impression-making device to produce impressions on a suitable record surface as a substantial facsimile ofthe original record from which prints may be produced.

' 6. A system for producing a mimeograph stencil of a graphical record which comprises means for translating the varying intensities of light and shadow on successive elemental areas of the record into electric current variations, means for producing from said fluctuating currentvalues constant amplitude currents of proportionately differing frequencies, and means for producing indentations in a record surface of varying concentration per unit area in accordance with the changes in the frequency of the resulting sigrials.

'7. The system for. producing a mimeograph stencil of a graphical record which comprises a surface for holding the graphical record, means or illuminating successive elemental areas of the record, means for producing currents of amplitude proportionate to the varying intensities of light and shadow of successive elemental areas of the record, means for converting the varying amplitude signals into constant amplitude variable frequency signals, and means for perforating a record sheet with perforations varying in concentration in proportion to the variations in frequency of the resulting signals, and means for synchronizing the location of the produced perforations with the picture area from which the varying amplitude signals were produced.

8. A system for producing mimeograph records which comprises a pair of supporting carriers, one of said carriers being adapted to hold the record surface from which a mimeograph record is to be made and the other of said surfaces adapted to hold the mimeograph record surface, photoelectric means for translating the light values of successive elemental areas of the original record surface into proportionately varying current values, means for converting the varying current values into constant current variable frequency impulses, and means for producing from said constant current variable frequency impulses varying concentration impressions upon said mimeograph record.

9. A system for producing a mimeograph stencil of a graphical record which comprises means for translating the varying intensities of light and shadow on successive elemental areas of the record into electric current variations, means for producing from said fluctuating current values constant amplitude currents of proportionately differing frequencies, means for producing equal slzeindentations in a record surface, and means for varying the concentration of said indentations proportionately to the changes in frequency of said produced currents.

10. The system for producing a mimeograph stencil of a graphical record which comprises a surface for holdingthe graphical record, means for illuminating successive elemental areas of the record, means for producing currents of amplitude proportionate to the varying intensities of light and shadow on successive elemental areas, of the record, means for converting the varying amplitude signals into corn-taut amplitude variable frequency signals, and means for perforating a record sheet with perforations varying in concentration per unit area of the record sheet in proportion to the variations in frequency of the resulting signals, and means for synchronizing the location of the produced perforations with the picture area. from which the varying amplitude signals were produced.

ll. A system for producing mimeograph records of printed subject matter which comprises 3 a pair of supporting carriers, one of said carriers being adapted to hold the record surface from which amimeograph record is to be made and the other of said surfaces adapted to hold the mimeograph record surface, means for moving said carriers synchronously relative to predetermined fixed points, photoelectric means located at one of said points for translating the light values of successive elemental areas of the original record surface into proportionately varying current values, means for producing impressions on said mimeograph record surface located at the other of said points, means for converting the varying current values into constant current variable frequency impulses, and

means for producing from said constant current 

